Diocesan News22 Oct 14

Bishop Ken Good’s Presidential Address At The Derry And Raphoe Diocesan Synod 2014

In his Presidential Address at the Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Synod, today Bishop Ken Good said: “There is an enormous need for people whose hearts are motivated by loving compassion to step up and to step out in generous self–giving in the service of others. Christian churches are producing and equipping such people.”

He also welcomed the fact that the Executive has at last agreed to the establishment of a single Sectoral Support Body to oversee the administration of education.

Full text of Presidential Address:

WELCOME
This being a triennial election year, some members are experiencing, for their very first time, the joys of a Diocesan Synod. You are very welcome indeed.

I want to acknowledge the presence of our ecumenical guests and to let them know how glad we are that they can be with us today:
Revd Peter Murray, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
Fr Michael Canny, from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Derry, representing Bishop Donal McKeown.
Revd John Hanna, Moderator of Derry and Donegal Presbytery

The General Synod Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures has sent two of its members, The Revd Andrew Forster and Mrs Ethne Harkness. We assure them of a warm welcome and our careful attention when they make a presentation to us later.

I am very pleased that Mr Adrian Clements, Chief Officer of the RCB and
Janet Maxwell, Head of Synod Services and Communications have travelled from Dublin to share in our proceedings this afternoon.

A GRATEFUL HEART
The fact that our Diocesan Synod takes place at Harvest–thanksgiving time each year is a happy co–incidence. Giving thanks to God for blessings is important in any and every season, but gratefulness is particularly keenly–felt at harvest time.

For every manifestation of God’s grace and generosity, we give thanks. In the Service of Holy Communion we have just declared that: ‘Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again’ and that
‘we remember his passion and death,
we celebrate his resurrection and ascension,
and we look for the coming of his kingdom.’

These are the solid historical truths on which our lives and our futures find meaning and purpose and where our thanksgivings are rooted. We are deeply thankful to God for all manner of things:
For his power and generosity in creation
For his grace and patience in human history.
For his love and forgiveness through the death of Christ on the cross.
For his removal of the sting of death, through the resurrection.
For his call to discipleship and to ministry that gives our lives so much purpose and direction.
For the transformation to hope and meaning which he has worked in countless people’s lives.

For all these blessings, and more, we say, ‘Thank you Lord.’

GRATEFUL FOR THIS DIOCESE
I believe we also share sense of thanksgiving for the blessing of being part of the Church of Jesus Christ here in Derry and Raphoe.

There are many reasons for which I am thankful to God for the privilege of serving him in this place. Some of the key features of this diocese for which I am particularly thankful include the following:

1. We are a family. In Derry and Raphoe we have a positive sense of belonging, of togetherness as a team, a family. A family in which, yes, we’re aware of our differences but in which we also respect and value one another. Conflict and tensions are an integral part of any family’s experience, so we accept the challenge of dealing with them with as much maturity, wisdom and compassion as possible. There is often a feeling of joy; we have been known to have a sense of humour, and we even have fun at times! We are a diocesan family and, as such, we have a desire to grow and to grow closer.

Families are not to live for themselves. Their members grow and develop so that they can make a valuable contribution to wider society. Our diocesan family worships, prays and learns together and then, as individuals, we go out to serve in a myriad of different roles and jobs and positions in the community.

In this diocese, we have set ourselves the goal of being a church which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, is part of Transforming Community Radiating Christ.

2. We are a missional family.
In working towards this goal it can be worth remembering that, over the centuries, two contrasting emphases or understandings of ‘church’ have developed. The first stems from the New Testament Greek word ‘ekklesia’ and the second, which evolved since the fourth century AD, is encapsulated in the German word ‘kirche’.

Ekklesia in New Testament times conveyed the sense of a ‘gathering’ of people. ‘Kirche’ came to be associated with a place, a specific location, a building.

The Ekklesia – the purposeful gathering, saw itself as part of a movement. There was momentum for drawing or winning others to join the movement. The focus of the Kirche was on enhancing the building as an inspiring centre of worship.

Ekklesia, was instinctively outwardly–focussed, prioritizing the need to go out and win others. Mission was, from the start, an essential part of its DNA. The Kirche, while also being missional, focussed more on providing worship within the building and inviting people to come to share in it.

While it is not helpful to over–play the contrast, it can be instructive for traditional denominations, like the Church of Ireland, to be reminded that the church from its inception was a gathering or movement of missional people.

In Derry and Raphoe, as a ‘kirche’ as well as an ‘ekklesia’ family, we have inherited a rich legacy of historically important church buildings. It is right that we act wisely and carefully as stewards of them. But we also acknowledge that our missional heart, that sense of being part of an active, global movement which works to see lives transformed by the Good News of Jesus Christ, is our primary calling.

We want our buildings to be accessible, available, attractive, open and welcoming. But we also want to ensure that our attention to the kirche, the building, and to the well–being of the existing members, are not so time–consuming and all–absorbing that we neglect the missional heart and outward movement of the ekklesia.

Rather than being pre–occupied with our own internal well–being and self–preservation, our focus is to look and to move outwards, with a heart to serve and a desire to see others blessed in body, mind and spirit. We want to grow wider.

3. We are a courageous family.
Because spiritual growth and transformation are at the heart of what we are about as a family, we are prepared to be imaginative and courageous in relating faith to an increasingly skeptical world.

Hudson Taylor once said, ‘Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith.’ I think we may need to take more risks for growth. The Archbishop of Canterbury on his visit to Armagh a few weeks ago reminded us that church life must be lived in such a way that what we do just would not make any sense if God didn’t exist!

Faith presupposes risk–taking rather than working comfortably within our own safe limitations and manageable routines. Adventures such as Messy Church, church planting, and many other kinds of outreach initiatives require risk–taking and considerable courage. I am thankful that we are developing greater courage to step out in faith.

4. We are a purposeful family.
I recently heard someone say, ‘When your memories outweigh your dreams, you’re dying!’ Being future–oriented, we believe God wants his Church to grow and so we are intentional in planning for that growth. Believing that the best times are ahead of us, not behind us, we are sowing seed and preparing for a harvest. Not content to drift along or to accept decline as inevitable, we are an ekklesia people who face the future with the confidence that Jesus Christ transforms lives and situations. We want to grow deeper in Christ.

5. We are a generous family.
The ekklsia and the kirche both know that grace is at the heart of how God deals with his people. His abundant, free outpouring of mercy and grace is ‘prevenient’ – it comes before any human response we can muster. As recipients and beneficiaries of his grace we learn to respond to him with large–heartedness and open–handedness; a generosity which involves our time, our desire to serve, and our financial resources. We know that when we sow sparingly the harvest will be meagre, but that when we sow generously, we will reap abundantly. Sowing generously amounts to making a spiritual investment; investing now to see a Kingdom harvest in the future. Such generosity is a sign of courageous risk–taking. It’s wonderful when large–hearted generosity permeates church life.

A PICTURE SPEAKS

On the front cover of this year’s Book of Reports there is a photograph which I particularly like. I am keen on it not least because it gives expression to this ekklesia, family picture I’ve been painting just now in words.

‘On the Move’ is one of our youth ministries in Derry and Raphoe where young people (usually in early July, just after Summer Madness) spend four days in a local community blessing people – tidying, painting, gardening, talking, playing and praying with people. They enjoy worship, teaching and prayer together in the morning and then they head out in teams to bless and engage with people for the rest of the day.

Under the effective leadership of Martin Montgomery, our Diocesan Youth Officer, these young people personify the values I have just been highlighting. As a purposeful gathering they know what it is to build a strong sense of team, of family; they clearly know how to have fun together, as they exude joy!; they feel part of a movement courageously stepping out in faith, they are risk–takers, willing to make a positive difference in the world; they themselves are being transformed spiritually and are growing in the faith; they model generosity with their time and their talents and their resources; and they are outwardly–focused, wanting to bless others more than being blessed themselves.

Putting it simply, these young people are Transforming Community and Radiating Christ. To me, they are an inspiration, an example, a visual aid, an encouragement, a challenge. I wanted the photograph on the front cover of the Book of Reports so as to inspire us about the purpose, the values and the tone of our Synod. Our Councils, our Committees and our Boards, our finances, our structures and our Standing Orders all have a missional purpose and a spiritual goal. The ‘On the Move’ image is a helpful one to bear in mind during our discussions and our business today.

SOCIETY AND WORLD IN NEED

The community and the world in which we live has much need of positive transformation, of helpful engagement, of compassion and involvement. Topical news reports have reminded us of several points of need:

• In this city, 31% of children live in households classified as below the poverty line. Strabane and Limavady come second highest on the list, at 29%. In Northern Ireland as a whole the level is 22%.

• In Co Donegal, which has the lowest disposable income of any county in Republic of Ireland, many families are under pressure to make ends meet.

• In Northern Ireland, we still live in a very divided and segregated society where sectarian tensions are seldom far from the surface. There is still a major role for all of us in bridge–building, developing trust, engaging in apology and offering forgiveness.

• We know that Co Donegal has had to contend with higher than average levels of unemployment – but I am heartened to hear this week of a significant €25 million investment in Dungloe to create up to 500 additional jobs. The fact that these new positions will help with improved diagnosis of Alzeimer’s, cancer and kidney disease makes it very good news indeed.

• At 13.2%, Foyle has the highest unemployment rate of any of the 650 Constituencies in UK, twice the national average. Youth unemployment here is also particularly high.

• On a global scale there are enormous humanitarian challenges such as contending with the Ebola virus, supporting refugees and displaced persons in the Middle East, preventing human trafficking, involving child, sexual or labour exploitation.

There is an enormous need for people whose hearts are motivated by loving compassion to step up and to step out in generous self–giving in the service of others. Christian churches are producing and equipping such people.

THREE PRESSURE POINTS

Much of what I have said about church life earlier may seem aspirational and about what we long to be. But this Synod also seeks to be real and to be realistic; we don’t want to live in denial but rather to engage with life – not least church life – as it really is, particularly if we want to be in a stronger position to transform community and radiate Christ.

I would suggest that there are three uncomfortable realities of church life which we all need to face up to. The three are: numbers of people (in church), age–profile (of church–goers) and parish finances.

NUMBERS
The church census undertaken in November 2013 revealed that, over the Church of Ireland as a whole, an average of 15.5% of our parishioners are present at Sunday worship. This means that, on average, over 80% are choosing not to be part of the regular ‘kirche’ worship.

In most of the traditional Christian denominations in Ireland there has been a decline in numbers choosing to participate in church worship. In many parishes, there is a numbers challenge.

AGE–PROFILE
The census also verified what we already know, anecdotally, that the majority of those who worship are above 50 years of age (57%), rather than below, with those in the 19–30 year age group significantly under–represented in church life (5%). In many parishes, there is an age–profile challenge.

FINANCES
While the census didn’t deal directly with financial issues in parish life, I would argue that the findings do contain, indirectly, a financial warning.. The reality seems to be that a significant percentage of financial giving in churches comes from those in the 50+ age–range.

One of the consequences of this, as pointed out by Rev Chuck Owens, from The Episcopal Church in USA, who has researched the reformed denominations in Canada and Ireland – their size, age–profile and giving patterns – is that because 40% of Sunday worshippers are over 60, (and as many as 15% are over 75) he suggests, provocatively, that ‘If the ‘wrong’ seven people die in many parishes, there could well be financial collapse!’ In many parishes, there is a financial challenge.

Facing these three challenges or ‘pressure points’ head on seems to me to be an essential and prudent approach for any leader. The facts which the census reveals are not our foes, but are our friends. It is better to know how things really are and to take action rather than to carry on with the assumption that all will be well if we keep going just as we are.

By the power of God, each of these trends can be reversed, each of these trajectories can be altered, if each of these challenges comes to be treated as an opportunity. There is no inevitability here. The downward direction of a graph line can be changed and adjusted upwards.

THE ROLE OF A BISHOP

The document from the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures, as well as that from General Synod Council for Mission, both of which the Synod will be considering later this afternoon, make specific mention the role of a bishop in furthering the mission of the Church. The bishop(s) needs to articulate a vision and take the initiative. Simply put: bishops need to give a lead.

In recent months, I have been doing some serious praying, discussing and discerning with the clergy about these three challenges. Together, we have been seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as to how a more helpful lead can be given to parishes. What would bring greater focus, clarity and direction to parishes, so that they can face their challenges, experience growth and reap a fresh spiritual harvest?

It is my conviction and my clergy’s conviction that the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe should continue our vision of Transforming Community Radiating Christ. It is also our conviction that we should do so by regarding 2016 as a particular Year of Opportunity; a year in which we tackle each of the three challenge areas: numbers, age–profile and finances. We do believe that each of these real challenges can become a real opportunity, and that is why we want the diocese to focus on the three critical themes of Mission, Generosity and Children.

In 2016, every parish in the diocese will be encouraged and helped to plan and carry through specific growth events which will focus on these three areas. As bishop, my intention is that a clearly expressed direction of travel and a clearly developed sense of vision will be combined with a freedom for each parish to devise its own particular approach, one that is appropriate to its context, its tradition and its resources. I believe that, as the Bishop of London said, this blend of vision and freedom can prove energizing and liberating.

So my role as bishop is to be courageous, myself, and to encourage clergy and parishioners to be courageous also. I want to see every parish challenged and equipped to make more disciples of Jesus Christ (Mission); to be cheerful about greater sharing of resources (Generosity); and to inspire a new generation of young people as follows of Christ (Children).

PLANNING for 2015 and 2016

Next month, on four November evenings, I will be travelling around four different venues in the diocese to meet with every Select Vestry and every Parish Development Team (in area groups) to excite them with the vision of a Year of Opportunity in 2016 and a Year of Preparation and Prayer in 2015. On those evenings together we will explore the Why? What? and How? Questions.

Why should every parish invest in this Year of Opportunity? The benefits, the possible outcomes, the reasons why.

What kinds of things might be planned? Creative ideas and workable suggestions, possibilities.

How can we know what God might want us to do in our parish? Prayerful planning, teamwork; how to set about all this.

I am keen to have every Select Vestry involved at an early stage so that they can be informed about the reasons for this Year of Opportunity. Their interest is important in order that that they can be supportive in resourcing and facilitating growth. Parish Teams, appointed by the rector, will undertake the detailed planning and give a lead in carrying out of the various initiatives, but the positive engagement of the Select Vestry will be vital.

CONCLUSION
In drawing together the strands of this address, I conclude by acknowledging that, yes, we face challenges. But I know that we face them together and that we face them not in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe that when we share the deep conviction that ‘Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again’ God can shape us into an increasingly generous, courageous, purposeful, missional family. Just as the first Christians could testify, challenges become opportunities, so, too, I believe that possibilities we have hardly dreamt of can open up before us in the Lord’s strength.

My calling is to give a lead in facing these challenges, in tackling these opportunities, and in seeing God reveal his power in doing what we, in our own strength, could never do.

I am thankful to God for the team of clergy who I am privileged to lead. I am thankful to God for the Diocesan Council which faces its challenges courageously. I am thankful for the thousands of parishioners who have glimpsed the vision of Transforming Community Radiating Christ and who are prepared to live it out. I am thankful to God for, and I am excited about, all that the Year of Opportunity presents us with. And I am thankful to God for you, the members of this Diocesan Synod, for your readiness now to grapple with the Kingdom issues which lie before us.

During the debate on the Report of the Derry Diocesan Board of Education, Bishop Ken Good made the following statement:

NEW SECTORAL SUPPORT BODY FOR CONTROLLED SCHOOLS –
A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT

While it is a matter of concern that it has taken such a long time to find a way forward in replacing the five Education and Library Boards, I welcome the fact that the Executive has at last agreed to the establishment of a single Authority to oversee the administration of education.

A highly significant aspect of the proposed Education Bill is the Minister’s commitment to fund a sectoral support body for Controlled Schools. This provision is well overdue and should prove highly beneficial in remedying a long–standing deficit in this sector.

In recent years, as overall pupil numbers have been falling, many non–selective secondary schools have been facing a doubly challenging situation; on the one hand, their student enrolment has fewer academically able students (as Grammar Schools fill their places to capacity) and on the other hand there are more students with special needs in main–stream education – but often without adequate funding for additional support.

The new sectoral support body will have a particular role to work with the Education Authority to raise educational standards in Controlled schools. This support will be vital in improving educational outcomes for children in schools coping with these pressures and where under–achievement is a serious and well–documented issue. The body will also have an advocacy role – acting as a champion for controlled schools, promoting good practice and representing the sector in area based planning. It is a most welcome development for controlled schools.